DOVER ATHLETIC
Vanarama National League
Saturday 1st September 2018
Saturday 1st September 2018
Stadium Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB
Telephone 01304 822373
Club
Colours Black and
White
Nickname The
Lilywhites
Nickname The Lilywhites
Key
Personnel
Chris
Kinnear is the current manager at Dover and he of course is a legend
at Barnet if only because he is the Number 3 in the Bees terrace
chant The 12 Days of Christmas! He was at Underhill between 1982-84
joining us from Maidstone after starting at West Ham United.
He
first became manager here in 1995 and had considerable success over a
decade winning three Southern League titles. After a spell as manager
at Margate he returned to the Crabble in January 2014.
Three Chris Kinnears.......
Brief
Directions by Road
From
the M25 after crossing the QE Bridge (and not forgetting the Dart
Charge) join the M2 and head towards Dover. Exit M2 & join A2,
still heading towards Dover. At the end of the A2 you will come to a
large roundabout (McDonald’s Drive Thru on your left but resist it
please). Take the 4th exit down Whitfield Hill towards
River. At the bottom of the hill, take the 1st exit at the
roundabout and continue on this road. At the traffic lights, turn
sharp right into River. Follow the road downhill and under the
railway bridge. The road will start to go up hill again. Towards
the top of the hill turn left into Crabble Athletic Ground.
Car
Parking
There
is free parking at the rugby ground near to the entrance of the
Crabble “complex”. Street parking is plentiful although be
prepared for an unsympathetic walk up the steep hill to the Crabble
itself.
Directions
by Train
There
is a choice of two stations for Dover Athletic FC, Kearsney (the
nearest and about 20 minutes walk) and Dover Priory (about 2 miles
away). Kearsney is on the London Victoria line via Canterbury and is
less frequent than the London St Pancras via Ashford train which
travels directly to Dover Priory and takes about an hour. Taxis are really the best option as
both stations are a fair walk from the ground. Why not get there
early and explore and take in a few hostelries on the way (please see
below)
Eating
and Drinking Locally
The
Social club welcomes home and away fans. For just a beer The
Cricketers is the pub closest to the Crabble and has been a reliable
pre match watering hole for years. Big beer garden and real ales.
Dover Priory Station offers the chance to visit the Golden Lion on
Priory Street which comes recommended. The Eight Bells is the local
Wetherspoons outlet closest to this station on Cannon Street.
If
alighting from Kearsney Station try the Railway Bell where you can be
sure of a good food as well as a sound pint.
As
ever I leave the best to last as the “Reckless Recommendation” is
The Coastguard Bar & Restaurant (The Bay, St Margaret's Bay,
Dover, CT15 6DY) literally on the beach in the village St Margaret's
which is about a mile and half to the west of Dover. Find the A258
Deal to Dover road turning into Station Road signposted St
Margaret's. Go through the village and at the steep hill the
Coastguard is clearly signposted and straightforward to find. Not
the cheapest place in the world I grant you but it comes highly
recommended from my sources.
The Cricketers
Ground
Description
The
low main stand with its four rows of seats, which occupies the whole
of one side of the ground, was built in 1951. Both the River and Town
End terraces are covered with identical open box like structures
while the fourth side accommodates the social club, some open terrace
areas and the smart Family Stand built in 2016 which sits at the
south end of the ground between the halfway line and the corner flag.
There appears to be a caravan perched on the roof of the main stand –
don’t worry it is the quaint Directors Lounge! Such character is
rapidly disappearing from our football grounds so treasure the image.
If
segregation is employed we will be allocated the Dover Street End
Terrace.
Admission
Prices
Adult
£17.00 Concessions £14.00 Under 18's £8.00 – there is a
supplementary charge of £1.50 to transfer to seating area
Our
Last Meeting & Memories
Our
last meeting was in December 2014, when a brace from Luke Gambin and
a Louisa Vila Lopez goal won the game 3-0.
El Genio
We
have battled both versions of Dover and in fact the original club was
a very frequent opponent during the 1960’s and 1970’s. It doesn’t
get much better as an 11 year old watching your team thrash another
team away from home 0-6. That game in 1971-2 season - decorated with
goals by Lou Adams (3), Paddy Powell (2) and Les Eason - was the
start of our journey to Wembley and ultimately the FA Trophy final
defeat by Stafford Rangers.
Sir Les Eason
Sir Lou Adams
Sir Colin Paddy Powell
We wouldn't be having scoring problems today with that little trio believe me.
Our successful run up to winning the Club
Call Cup in 1989 included a fine 5-1 victory over Dover at Underhill.
That game featured goals from Nicky Ironton, Paul Shinners, David
Sansom and Nicky Evans – who got two of course.
The
FA Trophy tie at Underhill in January 2004 was memorable for
completely different reasons. Geoff Pitcher (2) and Lee Roache goals
had given the Bees a narrow 3-2 victory in the 3rd Round
and supporters waited with baited breath for the draw for the next
round dreaming perhaps of trip to Villa Park for the final. However
it came to pass that we had fielded an ineligible (cup-tied) player
for the first half of the game in one Adam Campion. Campion had
represented Aylesbury Utd in a previous round versus Banstead but had
omitted to tell the club. Bees Chairman Tony Kleanthous was quoted as
saying “We went straight to the FA, holding our hands up and we did
try and do the right and honest thing but honesty doesn't count for
much in this industry”.
Overnight
Stay Factor
An
8/10 for this one and my little band of brothers are popping over the
Channel of Friday for an overnight stay, pick up a little booze and
return Saturday morning for the game – Wine, cheese and chocolate
and perhaps a French maid outfit for the other half – it works for
me!
Celebrity
Watch
A
few Ex Bees have left their mark at the Crabble in the past. Giuliano
Grazioli made his considerable experience count towards the teams’
success quite recently. ‘Don’t Flinch’ Tony Lynch spent a
couple of spells on loan here and became quite a cult hero. Talking
of heroes Barry Little gained the respect of the Dover locals before
his tragic death from a brain tumour in 1994. Chris Kinnear as
already mentioned was a lynch pin in a couple of Barry Fry’s early
Underhill squads and powerful midfielder Robert Codner had a brief
spell here too before becoming a Football Agent. Andy Hessenthaler
was manager from 2007-10 and oh yeah Ian Hendon popped in for cuppa
once! Cricketing legend Wally Hammond was born here as was referee
David Elleray.
Barry Little front right with Herts Senior Cup lid on his Barnet!
Key
Personnel
Chris
Kinnear is the current manager at Dover and he of course is a legend
at Barnet if only because he is the Number 3 in the Bees terrace
chant The 12 Days of Christmas! He was at Underhill between 1982-84
joining us from Maidstone after starting at West Ham United.
He
first became manager here in 1995 and had considerable success over a
decade winning three Southern League titles. After a spell as manager
at Margate he returned to the Crabble in January 2014.
|
| Three Chris Kinnears....... |
Brief
Directions by Road
From
the M25 after crossing the QE Bridge (and not forgetting the Dart
Charge) join the M2 and head towards Dover. Exit M2 & join A2,
still heading towards Dover. At the end of the A2 you will come to a
large roundabout (McDonald’s Drive Thru on your left but resist it
please). Take the 4th exit down Whitfield Hill towards
River. At the bottom of the hill, take the 1st exit at the
roundabout and continue on this road. At the traffic lights, turn
sharp right into River. Follow the road downhill and under the
railway bridge. The road will start to go up hill again. Towards
the top of the hill turn left into Crabble Athletic Ground.
Car Parking
There
is free parking at the rugby ground near to the entrance of the
Crabble “complex”. Street parking is plentiful although be
prepared for an unsympathetic walk up the steep hill to the Crabble
itself.
Directions by Train
There
is a choice of two stations for Dover Athletic FC, Kearsney (the
nearest and about 20 minutes walk) and Dover Priory (about 2 miles
away). Kearsney is on the London Victoria line via Canterbury and is
less frequent than the London St Pancras via Ashford train which
travels directly to Dover Priory and takes about an hour. Taxis are really the best option as
both stations are a fair walk from the ground. Why not get there
early and explore and take in a few hostelries on the way (please see
below)
Eating
and Drinking Locally
The
Social club welcomes home and away fans. For just a beer The
Cricketers is the pub closest to the Crabble and has been a reliable
pre match watering hole for years. Big beer garden and real ales.
Dover Priory Station offers the chance to visit the Golden Lion on
Priory Street which comes recommended. The Eight Bells is the local
Wetherspoons outlet closest to this station on Cannon Street.
If
alighting from Kearsney Station try the Railway Bell where you can be
sure of a good food as well as a sound pint.
As
ever I leave the best to last as the “Reckless Recommendation” is
The Coastguard Bar & Restaurant (The Bay, St Margaret's Bay,
Dover, CT15 6DY) literally on the beach in the village St Margaret's
which is about a mile and half to the west of Dover. Find the A258
Deal to Dover road turning into Station Road signposted St
Margaret's. Go through the village and at the steep hill the
Coastguard is clearly signposted and straightforward to find. Not
the cheapest place in the world I grant you but it comes highly
recommended from my sources.
|
| The Cricketers |
Ground
Description
The
low main stand with its four rows of seats, which occupies the whole
of one side of the ground, was built in 1951. Both the River and Town
End terraces are covered with identical open box like structures
while the fourth side accommodates the social club, some open terrace
areas and the smart Family Stand built in 2016 which sits at the
south end of the ground between the halfway line and the corner flag.
There appears to be a caravan perched on the roof of the main stand –
don’t worry it is the quaint Directors Lounge! Such character is
rapidly disappearing from our football grounds so treasure the image.
If
segregation is employed we will be allocated the Dover Street End
Terrace.
Admission
Prices
Adult
£17.00 Concessions £14.00 Under 18's £8.00 – there is a
supplementary charge of £1.50 to transfer to seating area
Our
Last Meeting & Memories
Our
last meeting was in December 2014, when a brace from Luke Gambin and
a Louisa Vila Lopez goal won the game 3-0.
 |
| El Genio |
We
have battled both versions of Dover and in fact the original club was
a very frequent opponent during the 1960’s and 1970’s. It doesn’t
get much better as an 11 year old watching your team thrash another
team away from home 0-6. That game in 1971-2 season - decorated with
goals by Lou Adams (3), Paddy Powell (2) and Les Eason - was the
start of our journey to Wembley and ultimately the FA Trophy final
defeat by Stafford Rangers.
 |
| Sir Les Eason |
 |
| Sir Lou Adams |
 |
| Sir Colin Paddy Powell |
We wouldn't be having scoring problems today with that little trio believe me.
Our successful run up to winning the Club
Call Cup in 1989 included a fine 5-1 victory over Dover at Underhill.
That game featured goals from Nicky Ironton, Paul Shinners, David
Sansom and Nicky Evans – who got two of course.
The
FA Trophy tie at Underhill in January 2004 was memorable for
completely different reasons. Geoff Pitcher (2) and Lee Roache goals
had given the Bees a narrow 3-2 victory in the 3rd Round
and supporters waited with baited breath for the draw for the next
round dreaming perhaps of trip to Villa Park for the final. However
it came to pass that we had fielded an ineligible (cup-tied) player
for the first half of the game in one Adam Campion. Campion had
represented Aylesbury Utd in a previous round versus Banstead but had
omitted to tell the club. Bees Chairman Tony Kleanthous was quoted as
saying “We went straight to the FA, holding our hands up and we did
try and do the right and honest thing but honesty doesn't count for
much in this industry”.
Overnight
Stay Factor
An
8/10 for this one and my little band of brothers are popping over the
Channel of Friday for an overnight stay, pick up a little booze and
return Saturday morning for the game – Wine, cheese and chocolate
and perhaps a French maid outfit for the other half – it works for
me!
Celebrity
Watch
A
few Ex Bees have left their mark at the Crabble in the past. Giuliano
Grazioli made his considerable experience count towards the teams’
success quite recently. ‘Don’t Flinch’ Tony Lynch spent a
couple of spells on loan here and became quite a cult hero. Talking
of heroes Barry Little gained the respect of the Dover locals before
his tragic death from a brain tumour in 1994. Chris Kinnear as
already mentioned was a lynch pin in a couple of Barry Fry’s early
Underhill squads and powerful midfielder Robert Codner had a brief
spell here too before becoming a Football Agent. Andy Hessenthaler
was manager from 2007-10 and oh yeah Ian Hendon popped in for cuppa
once! Cricketing legend Wally Hammond was born here as was referee
David Elleray.
 |
| Barry Little front right with Herts Senior Cup lid on his Barnet! |
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